The Invest in Others Charitable Foundation (IiO) presented five awards to financial advisors who demonstrated commitment in giving back to their communities during its 19th annual Invest in Others Awards Gala in Boston on Thursday.
The program includes five categories and honors advisors who volunteer their time and talents to support nonprofit organizations, positively impacting lives and the communities they serve, according to IiO.
Sponsors included Cambridge, Cetera Financial Group, Commonwealth Financial Network, Fidelity Investments, LPL Financial, Merrill, MFS, Natixis Investment Managers, Osaic and Private Advisor Group, IiO said Friday.
The charity honored the winner of its Lifetime Achievement Award, Scott Stackman of UBS Financial Services in New York, with a $100,000 grant to his designated charity, the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which supports people with physical disabilities, empowering them to pursue active lifestyles, IiO said.
The charities supported by winners named in the remaining four award categories each received a $60,000 grant from IiO.
William Sherlach of Raymond James in Newtown, Connecticut, received the Catalyst Award for his work with Sandy Hook Promise, which helps educate and empower young persons and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes and communities.
Nadia Shokohi of Shokohi Wealth Management Group/LPL Financial in Parker, Colorado, earned the Community Service Award for her work with Front Range Divorce Center DBA WINGS, which provides financial education and emotional wellness for women.
Justin Elder of Cetera Financial Specialists in Naperville, Illinois, earned the Emerging Impact Award for his work with Moose & Me Baking Company, which employs persons with physical, developmental and intellectual disabilities to provide an inclusive workplace.
John Lyons of J Lyons Fund Management/Interactive Brokers in Deerfield, Illinois, earned the Volunteer of the Year Award for his work with Hope for the Silent Voices, which seeks to bring attention and resources to the “severely neglected, disadvantaged, and discarded around the world, and give them a voice,” IiO said.
Charities supported by two finalists in each of the five categories received donations of $25,000 each, while charities designated by the 75 recipients of honorable mentions received donations of $2,000 each, IiO said.
Executive Tribute
IiO also presented its second Executive Tribute to John Hyland, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Private Advisor Group of Morristown, New Jersey, in honor of his work with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, now Blood Cancer United, where he is President of the board of its New Jersey chapter.
Hyland’s many years of involvement with that organization was inspired by a family connection to what IiO said is the deadliest form of blood cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
He was previously honored with the Invest in Others Community Service Award, in 2010, receiving the award before his own diagnosis with AML that same year, IiO noted.
IiO recently launched a special fundraising campaign to raise $500,000 in Hyland’s honor, which it said will be shared equally between IiO and Blood Cancer United, for which he is a national trustee.
With a career of over three decades, Hyland focuses on retirement and estate planning, according to IiO. He joined the Invest in Others board in May 2014 and is its immediate past Chairman.
At the gala, IiO also honored Thomas Whitehurst of Whitehurst Advisory Group/Raymond James, a 2025 award finalist for his support of Casa Familia, who passed away earlier this year. Whitehurst’s wife and daughter were in attendance and accepted a posthumous honor on his behalf, IiO said.
“This year’s award recipients set the bar very high for balancing dedication to clients with a commitment to supporting nonprofit organizations,” according to Barkley Payne, IiO President and CEO.
“Their work makes an impact on the lives of people in their communities, and across the country,” Payne said in a news release. “Our annual awards program and gala celebrate these individuals and the support they give to causes close to their hearts. We are honored to highlight this inspiring side of the financial services industry, amplifying impact through awards recognition and financial support.”
Jeff Berman, Contributing Editor and Reporter at Wealth Solutions Report, can be reached at jeff.berman@wealthsolutionsreport.com.
